Chapter Summaries

Anzu finished fourth in the race at Kasamatsu Racecourse, despite a strong final sprint, and struggled to understand why her strategy had not been enough. Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One encouraged her to gain experience, leaving her resolved to keep working hard.

• Anzu caught up with the other runners near the finish but discovered Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One had already stopped, and the scoreboard showed her in fourth place.
• Inari One praised Anzu's final sprint and told her she could become an outstanding Horse Girl.
• Super Little Bay praised Anzu's strategy but said she lacked race experience, and advised her to ask her Trainer and Kitasan Black for help understanding the result.
• Oguri Cap said Anzu would someday become a Horse Girl who conquered the world, and Anzu renewed her resolve to work hard.

Spring and Autumn Equinox won her race, and the group celebrated the end of the Kasamatsu Carnival with a bonfire party and dances. Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen shared the festival’s joyful atmosphere, then headed back to the inn with a clay bell she planned to display at the office.

• Almond Eye reassured Anjing Zhen and the others that she had recovered from her race and urged them to cheer for Spring and Autumn Equinox.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox overcame her nerves, led from the starting gate, and easily won her race.
• Inari One hosted the carnival’s bonfire party, where Oguri Cap led Kasamatsu Ondo and the crowd joined the dance.
• Kitasan Black took Anjing Zhen’s hand and danced Tracen Ondo with him as Horse Girls and visitors gathered around the bonfire.
• On the way back to the inn, Kitasan Black showed off the clay bell she had won and suggested putting it in the office when they returned to Tokyo.

Anjing Zhen and Kikou Mirei discovered that Almond Eye had left the hotel before dawn, and Anjing suspected she had gone out to train after losing the previous day. The group began searching for a suitable nearby training spot.

• Kikou Mirei asked Anjing Zhen about Kitasan Black’s upcoming races, and he explained his plan to prepare her for an overseas expedition.
• Kikou Mirei woke Anjing Zhen and told him Almond Eye was missing from the room she shared with the Horse Girls.
• Anjing Zhen reasoned that Almond Eye had probably gone out for extra training rather than vanished under suspicious circumstances.
• Anjing Zhen and Kikou Mirei joined Kitasan Black, Daiwa Scarlet, Agnes Tachyon, and Spring and Autumn Equinox at the front desk.
• Kitasan Black confirmed that Almond Eye had left early, and Agnes Tachyon asked the hotel staff about nearby places suitable for training.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black searched the racecourse for Almond Eye, who had gone out to train after the previous day’s loss. They found her running with Fujimasa March, and Anjing Zhen decided to wait and see whether the relative stranger could help Almond Eye open up.

• Agnes Tachyon divided the search, sending Daiwa Scarlet to the academy grounds and Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black to the racecourse while she went to the riverside.
• Agnes Tachyon gave Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black leafy branches to use as camouflage as they searched for Almond Eye.
• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black found Almond Eye practicing speed bursts alone on the racecourse track.
• Fujimasa March arrived, greeted Almond Eye, and invited her to run together.
• Anjing Zhen explained to Kitasan Black that Almond Eye might find it easier to share her worries with Fujimasa March because they were not close.

After losing her race, Almond Eye admitted to Fujimasa March that she felt confused, feared disappointing her Trainer and seniors, and envied Little Bun for winning. Fujimasa March shared how she had coped with repeatedly losing to Oguri Cap and told Almond Eye that envy and even hatred could fuel a runner to win.

• Anjing Zhen explained that he and Kitasan Black might be able to understand Almond Eye’s feelings, and the two hid in the bushes as Almond Eye and Fujimasa March returned from a run.
• Almond Eye told Fujimasa March that she could not understand why she lost despite following her plan and worried that her Trainer and seniors would be disappointed.
• Almond Eye confessed that she felt envious and jealous of Little Bun, who had won a race among children who had not reached Full Maturity.
• Fujimasa March recalled repeatedly losing to Oguri Cap and advised Almond Eye to focus on becoming stronger rather than obsessing over the gap between them.
• Fujimasa March said that frustration, envy, jealousy, and even hatred could help runners win, leaving Almond Eye stunned.

Fujimasa March encouraged Almond Eye to keep running despite the pain of losing, and Almond Eye left feeling she had understood something. After meeting with Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen Shen, Fujimasa left them to support Almond Eye, and they headed back determined to listen to her and help her recover.

• Fujimasa March told Almond Eye that the pain of losing could drive her to keep running, and Almond Eye thanked her before running back to her group.
• Fujimasa March spotted Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen Shen hiding in the bushes, and they admitted they had come because they were worried about Almond Eye.
• Fujimasa March told Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen Shen that they were the ones who could truly guide Almond Eye, then left to resume her training.
• Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen Shen discussed Almond Eye's thoughts and agreed to listen to her and support her recovery.
• Kitasan Black encouraged Anjing Zhen Shen and held his hand as they hurried back together to Almond Eye.

After returning from the trip to Kasamatsu and Nagoya, Kitasan Black wrote a report about guiding her juniors and reflected on her dreams. Saburo Kitajima asked her what word could represent those dreams, then began telling her about his own youth.

• Kitasan Black returned from the trip and excitedly shared its highlights with her family and friends, including Tokai Teio.
• Kitasan Black began writing a report about the assistant trip and how she could better support Anjing Zhen and her juniors.
• Saburo Kitajima read Kitasan Black's report and praised her growing maturity and sense of responsibility.
• Saburo Kitajima asked Kitasan Black about her goals, and she said she wanted to inspire exciting races, become a Hall of Fame Horse Girl, and help Anjing Zhen, Almond Eye, and Little Bun.
• Saburo Kitajima asked Kitasan Black to sum up her dreams in one word, then began telling her a bedtime story about his youth.

At Central Treisen Academy, Anjing Zhen and the others began adjusting Kitasan Black’s stride for overseas racing, and she quickly demonstrated the new running form. She then asked Anjing Zhen which single word represented all her dreams, leaving him unsure how to answer.

• Kitasan Black began the new term after helping an old lady and catching a runaway dog on her way to the Academy.
• Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet explained that Kitasan Black would practice a longer, more energy-efficient stride to prepare for overseas tracks.
• Kitasan Black tried landing on her heels and applying force in front of her body, and the trainers approved her form.
• Kitasan Black asked Anjing Zhen what single word represented all her dreams after explaining that her grandpa had asked her the same question.
• Anjing Zhen considered the question but could not find a starting point for his answer.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black considered what single keyword might capture a dream, while Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet shared their own ambitions. Kitasan Black set the question aside to train, and later joined friends for dinner as the new term kept the Trainers busy.

• Agnes Tachyon said her dream keyword was the limits of Horse Girls, while Daiwa Scarlet and Almond Eye declared that they aimed for first place.
• Agnes Tachyon told Kitasan Black not to force an answer, and Kitasan Black went to run while Anjing Zhen continued pondering the question.
• Anjing Zhen and the others recorded Kitasan Black's stride data and guided Almond Eye's pace-running drills; Kitasan Black ran alongside Mikki Rocket and arranged to eat with her afterward.
• After training, Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black and Almond Eye to go to dinner while he handled matters with Agnes Tachyon and Yamato.
• Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Mikki Rocket joined Satono Diamond, Satono Crown, and Noble Elegance for dinner, where they discussed how busy Trainers were at the start of term.

At dinner, Kitasan Black agreed to help Wanlai Zhengming prepare for the Dubai Sheema Classic and learned that the concert tickets Wanlai had given her were hard to obtain. After Noble Elegance accidentally ate a spoonful of chili sauce, she asked Kitasan Black for help with her younger sister, Kyoushou.

• The group discussed Mikki Rocket's G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai win and Satono Crown's Kyoto Kinen victory, then Satono Crown invited Kitasan Black to practice running together.
• Kitasan Black said she had promised to help Wanlai Zhengming with adaptation training for the Dubai Sheema Classic and showed the group the concert tickets Wanlai had given her.
• Satono Diamond explained that the concert was popular and difficult to get tickets for, and Kitasan Black resolved to do her best to help Wanlai.
• Noble Elegance accidentally ate a large spoonful of chili sauce, and Kitasan Black gave her milk to ease the burning.
• Noble Elegance asked Kitasan Black for a favor involving her younger sister, Kyoushou.

Kitasan Black told her friends she would race in Japan before going overseas, then announced that she planned to enter the newly upgraded Osaka Hai. Satono Crown and Mikki Rocket revealed they would enter it too, setting up a three-way challenge.

• Noble Elegance asked Kitasan Black for help preparing for Dubai, and Kitasan Black offered advice and training runs.
• Kitasan Black reassured her friends that she would race in Japan before leaving overseas, and she recognized their desire to challenge her.
• A television report announced that the Sankei Osaka Hai would become a G1 race that year.
• Kitasan Black announced that the Osaka Hai would be her next race, and Satono Crown revealed she planned to compete against her.
• Mikki Rocket nervously announced she would enter the Osaka Hai and asked Kitasan Black to teach her.

Anjing Zhen reviewed Kitasan Black's Running Style adjustments and Almond Eye's developing training plan, while deciding to protect Almond Eye's focus by declining premature commercial offers. Almond Eye agreed, and Anjing Zhen returned to his paperwork before someone familiar entered the office.

• Anjing Zhen presented Kitasan Black's training data and outlined plans to test other paces, slopes, and curves.
• Anjing Zhen and the team reviewed Almond Eye's development and planned training to strengthen her endurance and basic speed.
• Anjing Zhen considered the demands of managing both Horse Girls and the media and business interest in Almond Eye.
• Anjing Zhen told Almond Eye about the interview and endorsement offers and explained his concerns about distracting her from training.
• Almond Eye declined the offers and told Anjing Zhen to handle outside matters while she prepared for her Debut Race.
• Anjing Zhen resumed his paperwork, and a familiar person entered the office.

Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen she felt confident facing strong rivals but remained worried that Almond Eye might be hiding lingering feelings after Kasamatsu. After agreeing to keep an eye on Almond Eye, Anjing Zhen called his mother, Kikou Mirei, to ask for advice about handling the Horse Girls' psychological concerns.

• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen she felt excited and confident when facing rivals, but worried Almond Eye might be concealing something despite seeming happy and training hard.
• Anjing Zhen agreed to monitor Almond Eye's training and emotions without putting unnecessary pressure on her.
• Kitasan Black thanked Anjing Zhen, then hurried off and left him to finish his paperwork.
• After working late, Anjing Zhen called Kikou Mirei and admitted he was unsure how to handle the Horse Girls' psychological issues.
• Kikou Mirei listened patiently and told Anjing Zhen that his concern showed he had grown up.

Anjing Zhen asked his mother, Kikou Mirei, how to help Almond Eye, and she suggested involving her in training-related tasks so they could communicate more naturally. The next morning, Daiwa Scarlet warned that copying Kitasan Black’s duties might put pressure on Almond Eye, leaving Anjing Zhen to reconsider his approach.

• Kikou Mirei advised Anjing Zhen to discuss racing mentality with Almond Eye and give her manageable tasks that would help her feel trusted and involved.
• Anjing Zhen thanked Kikou Mirei and told her he loved her before abruptly ending the call.
• Anjing Zhen told Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet that he planned to have Almond Eye organize opponent data and keep training logs.
• Agnes Tachyon accepted the idea, but Daiwa Scarlet warned that Almond Eye might feel pressured if the tasks did not suit her strengths.
• Anjing Zhen realized his proposed solution might reflect his own habits rather than Almond Eye’s needs and felt self-reproachful.

Daiwa Scarlet suggested that Anjing Zhen turn Almond Eye’s opponent research into a playful undercover assignment, and he agreed it could help him understand her perspective as well as aid their preparations for the Osaka Hai. Agnes Tachyon then offered experimental disguise agents, leaving Anjing Zhen and Daiwa Scarlet alarmed about her proposal.

• Daiwa Scarlet told Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon how Teio had once investigated Arima Kinen competitors in disguise and suggested Almond Eye do similar research on her Osaka Hai opponents.
• Anjing Zhen reconsidered his focus on data and training plans, recognized the value of Almond Eye’s own observations, and decided to announce the assignment at the review meeting.
• Agnes Tachyon became excited about the espionage game and proposed improving Almond Eye’s disguise so she would not be exposed.
• Agnes Tachyon produced experimental agents that could change hair and eye color, prompting Anjing Zhen and Daiwa Scarlet to question how she had developed them.

Anjing Zhen organized a disguised intelligence-gathering mission to help Kitasan Black prepare for the Osaka Hai, assigning Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox to investigate. Kitasan Black wanted to join, but the others rejected the idea because her fame and personality would make her too easy to recognize.

• Agnes Tachyon assured the team that her new reagent had no troublesome side effects and gave Anjing Zhen a sample to test.
• Anjing Zhen suggested that Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox help gather intelligence for Kitasan Black’s Osaka Hai, and the team agreed.
• Anjing Zhen assigned Almond Eye the mission and gave her Agnes Tachyon’s disguise tools, which she eagerly accepted.
• Kitasan Black realized Anjing Zhen had remembered her worries and offered to disguise herself as a reporter to help investigate.
• Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Scarlet, and Almond Eye unanimously told Kitasan Black not to join, explaining that she would be recognized too easily.

Kitasan Black left the Osaka Hai opponent investigation to Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox so she could focus on training. Almond Eye disguised herself as a reporter, gathered detailed information, and brought Spring and Autumn Equinox into the secret mission; she showed her a well-used notebook as their work continued.

• Kitasan Black agreed to concentrate on training while Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox handled the investigation.
• Almond Eye used disguise solutions to change her hair, eyes, and voice, then began interviewing and observing Kitasan Black’s opponents as a reporter.
• Almond Eye studied journalism and organized her notes and photographs on the team office wall.
• Almond Eye met Spring and Autumn Equinox at Shibuya Station and explained that their secret mission was to help Kitasan Black prepare for the Osaka Hai.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox excitedly agreed to keep the mission secret, and Almond Eye took out her marked-up notebook.

Almond Eye reviewed Kitasan Black’s Osaka Hai opponents with Spring and Autumn Equinox, comparing their racing styles and strengths. She warned that Harvest Festival had extraordinary final-burst speed, then explained that Harvest Festival’s later failure at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe showed speed alone did not determine a race.

• Almond Eye gave Spring and Autumn Equinox her opponent notebook and explained that Starlight Peak favored Great Escape and was likely to fight desperately for the lead.
• Almond Eye described Lofty Ambition as a stable, conventional runner and Sunday Silence as a consistent specialist at the Osaka Hai’s 2,000-meter distance.
• Almond Eye identified Harvest Festival as the previous year’s Japanese Derby champion and recounted her close finish against Satono Diamond.
• Almond Eye explained that Harvest Festival’s final-burst times reached 32.6 seconds and could outmatch Kitasan Black in a sprint-speed contest, while reassuring Spring and Autumn Equinox that races depended on more than speed.
• Almond Eye said Harvest Festival later went overseas to pursue the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but finished fourteenth.

Almond Eye explained to Spring and Autumn Equinox that Harvest Festival might be in weaker form after her overseas campaign, then recruited her to investigate Mikki Rocket and Satono Crown for information about Kitasan Black’s opponents. They reached the Satomi family estate to interview Satono Crown, and Spring and Autumn Equinox was awed by its grandeur.

• Almond Eye showed Spring and Autumn Equinox race data suggesting Harvest Festival’s Final Burst had slowed since the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Spring concluded Harvest Festival might not be a threat to Senior Little Kita.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox worried she had nothing to contribute, so Almond Eye asked her to interview Mikki Rocket and Satono Crown, whom she could not approach without risking recognition.
• Almond Eye gave Spring a prepared question list and told her to present the interview as elementary school social studies homework.
• Almond Eye and Spring traveled for nearly two hours by train and then took a bus to the Satomi family estate, where Spring marveled at its vast, European-style grounds.

Spring and Autumn Equinox visited the Satomi Family estate to interview Satono Crown for a school assignment, while Almond Eye hid nearby to back her up. After the butler showed Spring and Autumn Equinox the estate’s impressive training ground, Satono Crown came over to meet her.

• Almond Eye hid in roadside bushes and encouraged Spring and Autumn Equinox to follow their interview plan.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox rang the gate and asked the butler to arrange an interview with Satono Crown.
• The butler drove Spring and Autumn Equinox through the estate and showed her the professional training ground.
• The butler spoke to Trainer Chris, who called Satono Crown over from her training session.
• Satono Crown took a towel and drink, spoke with Trainer Chris, and walked with the butler toward Spring and Autumn Equinox.